Thursday, October 31, 2013

Western Hockey League Scholarship Recipients, 2013-14 Academic Year
The following is a listing of the 305 WHL graduate and players who have been awarded WHL scholarships for the 2013-2014 academic year and the post secondary institutions they currently are attending;

I. Canadian Universities, Western Canada (185)
Name – Home Town – Club Responsible for WHL Scholarship
(**) Currently playing hockey in the Canada West Conference of the CIS (Canadian Inter-University Sport) or the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL)

II. Canadian Universities, Eastern Canada (53)
Name – Home Town – Club Responsible for WHL Scholarship
(**) Currently playing hockey in the Ontario University Athletic Conference or Atlantic University Sport Conference of the CIS

III. Canadian Colleges and other (61)
Name – Home Town – Club Responsible for WHL Scholarship
(**) Currently playing hockey in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) or the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL)
(*) Currently enrolled at two post-secondary institutions under one Scholarship

WHL Graduates continuing to play hockey at the elite Canadian University or College level:
Canada West Conference – 111
Ontario University Athletics /Atlantic University Sport Conferences – 44
ACAC / BCIHL – 14
Total – 169

Monday, October 28, 2013

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE enter this week's action with a 7-6-2-0 record (5-4-0-0 at home, 2-2-2-0 on the road, 0-2 in overtime, 1-0 in shootouts) and in fourth place in the CENTRAL DIVISION...The ICE will play four of their next five games at home.

PEPSI KIDS CLUB: Registration for the PEPSI KIDS CLUB is underway…Kids from five to 12 can sign up to be part of the KIDS CLUB and receive a punch card to attend eight games for only $5.00…The events this year will include skating, tobogganing and a movie…Cost for each child is $17.00 and forms are available at the Kootenay ICE Office…Registration deadline is Friday, November 15th.

SUPER SEVEN FLEX PAKS: SUPER SEVEN FLEX PAKS are now available to purchase at the ICE Office…You get seven game certificates to use at your convenience – total flexibility...Each FLEX PAK purchased will include a golf voucher for WILDSTONE GOLF COURSE to be used during the 2014 golf season (while supplies last)…SUPER SEVEN FLEX PAKS are available in Adult, Senior, Student and Youth packages...Adults are $133.00, Seniors $105.00, Students $91.00 and Youth $70.00.

DID YOU KNOW: The ICE are 6-2-1-0 when scoring the first goal of the game and 0-4-1-0 when their opponent scores first...SAM REINHART, who is fourth in the WHL in points with 27 (9-18-27), is third in the League in assists with 18...JAEDON DESCHENEAU, who is tied for first in the WHL for scoring the first goal of the game with four, is tied for sixth in the League with 11 goals scored...JAGGER DIRK needs to record one more point to reach 100 in his WHL career...MACKENZIE SKAPSKI needs to play in one more game to reach 100 in hiS WHL career.

TRANSACTIONS / INJURY: The ICE acquired 19-year-old Forward TIM BOZON and 19-year-old Defenseman LANDON CROSS from the KAMLOOPS BLAZERS in exchange for 17-year-old Forward COLLIN SHIRLEY and 18-year-old Defenseman MATT THOMAS along with a third round pick in the 2014 WHL BANTAM DRAFT and a first and fifth round pick in the 2015 WHL BANTAM DRAFT on October 22...Defenseman CLINT FILBRANDT was reassigned to the PENTICTON VEES of the BCHL on October 22...Defenseman TANNER FAITH will be out of the KOOTENAY line up indefinitely with an upper body injury.

ONE YEAR AGO: After 15 games of the 2012-2013 season the ICE were 4-10-1-0, after 16 games were 4-11-1-0 and after 17 games were 4-12-1-0.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Thursday, October 24, 2013

1. The last time Portland was in Cranbrook was 103 weeks ago, Oct 29, 2011. The ICE won the game 4-1.

2. The only players who played in that game that are still on the rosters … ICE – Jeff Hubic, Jagger Dirk, Jaedon Decsheneau, Sam Reinhart and Jon Martin. Winterhawks – Josh Hanson, Chase De Leo, Taylor Leier, Brendan Leipsic, Nicolas Petan, Layne Viverois and Derrick Pouliot. Adam Rossignol was on the ICE roster in 2011 and is now on Portland.

3. In the regular season the ICE have a career record vs Portland of 14-12-2-1, 7-6-0-0 at home and 4-1 in the playoffs.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

The ICE roster is at 23 players as they have reassigned Clint Filbrandt to Junior A.
Filbrandt was acquired from Tri City for a conditional 2015 5th round pick.
Since he did not stay with the ICE the pick was used in the trade with Kamloops.

Cranbrook, BC – Jeff Chynoweth, General Manager of the Kootenay ICE Hockey Club, today announced the Club has acquired 19-year-old Forward Tim Bozon and 19-year-old Defenseman Landon Cross from the Kamloops Blazers in exchange for 17-year-old Forward Collin Shirley, 18-year-old Defenseman Matt Thomas along with a third round pick in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft and a first and fifth round selection in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft.

“With as competitive as the Eastern Conference is and with goals being so hard to come by this was an opportunity to add one of the WHL’s premier goal scorers to our line-up. We are also adding a top four defenseman that will help solidify and give more depth to our blueline group. To acquire a top six forward and a top four defenseman unfortunately you have to give up a lot and we feel we have given up two quality individuals in Collin and Matt along with some very high draft picks. We wish both players all the best with the Blazers,” added Chynoweth.

Tim Bozon is in his third season in the WHL after being selected in the 2011 CHL Import Draft (1st round – 27th overall). Bozon, whose Dad (Philippe) played in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues (1991-1995) was a third round draft pick (64th overall) of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Landon Cross is also in his third season with the Blazers after being selected in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft (3rd round – 54th overall). Both players are expected to arrive in time for practice on Wednesday, October 23.

The ICE are now carrying 24 players, including two goaltenders, nine defensemen and 13 forwards.

Monday, October 21, 2013

1. With help from ICE GM Jeff Chynoweth it was great to interview Player Agent Vlad Shushkovsky who is based in Calgary with ties to junior players in Russia. If you missed the interview on the broadcast it was very interesting to hear how they traveled from Moscow to Calgary in less than 48 hours. The plan was to drive to Red Deer to watch the Rebels play the Hitmen, then join the ICE later that night with a chance to play on Sunday. Valiev asked if they could make it to Edmonton in time to play Saturday night. They arrived in Edmonton 45 minutes before the pre-game skate.

2. It’s says a lot that Valiev was eager to play for the ICE and played really good after 2 days of travel, a huge time difference (it was around 4am in Moscow at game time), hasn’t been in game-like action for a month, never had seen a WHL game let alone play in one, didn’t even have one practice with the ICE, never met his teammates until 1 hour before the game, language barrier, new equipment, etc.

3. He is the first Russian to play for the ICE. While in Edmonton they had Ukraine native Dmitriy Yakushin on the roster.

4. Had a great visit with the ICE Fan Club who is arranging the Family Tailgate Party this Saturday. They are working hard to have lots of activities for your kids. Remember these tailgate events are what you the fans make of it and they are always looking for more members to join the Fan Club. As the saying goes, if you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem.

5. As mentioned on the broadcast, the ICE roster is now at 24 and the plan is to be at 22. The long term injury to Tanner Faith probably means they will go with 13 forwards 8 defensemen and 2 goalies for a few weeks. With Jeff Hubic on the blueline they have 9 defenseman.

6. We are getting closer to that time of the year where there are International events. In December Sam Reinhart will be off to Canada’s camp with a strong chance to play in the World Junior Hockey Championships. After Christmas Hudson Elynuik and Troy Murray should be playing in the U-17 tournament.

7. ICE Career Milestone Watch – Luke Philp has played 96 career games, Mackenzie Skapski is at 98 games (5 goalies have played over 100) and is the 6th goalie with over 50 wins, Sam Reinhart is the 16th forward to reach 100 assists, Jaedon Descheneau is the 31st forward to surpass 100 points, Jagger Dirk has 99 points (6 defenseman have over 100 points).

8. Talk about parity, in the East Conference 5 points separates 11 teams.

9. Top to bottom this may be the strongest the US Division has been in a long time. The ICE will host Portland on Friday and in November we will see Spokane, Tri City and Everett.

10. It’s been a yo-yo month for the ICE as they have not won or lost more than 1 game in a row.

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE enter this week's action with a 6-5-2-0 record (4-3-0-0 at home, 2-2-2-0 on the road, 0-2 in overtime, 1-0 in shootouts) and in third place in the CENTRAL DIVISION...The ICE will play six of their next seven games at home.

FAN CLUB TAILGATE PARTY: The KOOTENAY ICE FAN CLUB is hosting a FAMILY TAILGATE PARTY on Saturday, October 26th from 5:00 - 6:30 pm in the parking lot of WESTERN FINANCIAL PLACE...There will be a bouncy castle for the kids, hamburgers, chips, coffee, pop and hot chocolate available prior to the game against the MOOSE JAW WARRIORS.

PEPSI KIDS CLUB: Registration for the PEPSI KIDS CLUB is underway…Kids from five to 12 can sign up to be part of the KIDS CLUB and receive a punch card to attend eight games for only $5.00…The events this year will include skating, tobogganing and a movie…Cost for each kid is $17.00 and forms are available at the Kootenay ICE Office…Registration deadline is Friday, November 15th.

SUPER SEVEN FLEX PAKS: SUPER SEVEN FLEX PAKS are now available to purchase at the ICE Office…You get seven game certificates to use at your convenience – total flexibility...Each FLEX PAK purchased will include a golf voucher for WILDSTONE GOLF COURSE to be used during the 2014 golf season (while supplies last)…SUPER SEVEN FLEX PAKS are available in Adult, Senior, Student and Youth packages...Adults are $133.00, Seniors $105.00, Students $91.00 and Youth $70.00.

DID YOU KNOW: SAM REINHART, who recorded his 100th career assist on October 19 in EDMONTON, is tied for second in the WHL in points with 23 (7-16-23)...REINHART is tied for first in the League in assists with 16...JAEDON DESCHENEAU, who is tied for seventh in the WHL for goals scored with nine, is tied for third in the League for power play goals with five...HUDSON ELYNUIK recorded his first WHL career goal on October 19 in EDMONTON (game winner)…RINAT VALIEV recorded his first WHL career assist against the OIL KINGS on October 19… JAGGER DIRK needs to record one more point to reach 100 in his WHL career...LUKE PHILP needs to play in four more games to reach 100 in his WHL career.

TRANSACTION / INJURY: Defenseman RINAT VALIEV (May 11, 1995), who KOOTENAY selected in the 2013 CHL IMPORT DRAFT (first round, 25th overall), joined the team in EDMONTON on October 19 after receiving his Canadian Visa...Defenseman TANNER FAITH will be out of the ICE line up indefinitely with an upper body injury.

ONE YEAR AGO: After 13 games of the 2012-2013 season the ICE were 4-9-0-0, after 14 games were 4-9-1-0 and after 15 games were 4-10-1-0.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

1. As you may have seen in the weekly report, Sunday’s game against Prince Albert was the first time there were 0 penalty minutes in an ICE game.

2. On the weekend Jagger Dirk became the 16th player to play 250 or more regular season games for the ICE. He is only the 3rd defenseman to reach that milestone. (274 Joey Leach, 258 Brayden McNabb)

3. Speaking of Dirk, of the 11 players the ICE selected in the 2008 Bantam Draft he is the only player still with the ICE.

4. Adam Rossignol, now with Portland, is the only other player from that draft that is in the WHL.

5. MacKenzie Skapski is in 4th place in ICE history with 8 career shutouts. (18 Taylor Dakers, 17 Jeff Glass, 9 Nathan Lieuwen)

6. With Sunday’s game scoreless in the 3rd period and Raider’s rookie goalie Nick McBride making his 1st career WHL start, brought back memories of Wheat Kings’ Curtis Honey earning his 1st win and shutout in Cranbrook with a 1-0 decision on January 24, 2012. Brandon’s Head Coach in that game was Cory Clouston.

7. This year the WHL over-age deadline is on October 15th. Going into today only Moose Jaw was over the limit.

8. The ICE will host Saskatoon on Friday and have a career record of 26-25-9-2 vs the Blades, including a home record of 14-11-5-1. Last year they split the 4 regular season meetings.

9. The ICE will play 2 games in Edmonton on Saturday and Sunday. Last year they split the 6 regular season meetings and the Oil Kings won the 1st round playoff match-up 4-1.

10. The Oil Kings will play 2 games in one weekend in Cranbrook in January. They’ll face the ICE on a Friday, play in Lethbridge on Saturday and back in Cranbrook on Sunday.

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE enter this week's action with a 5-4-1-0 record (4-2-0-0 at home, 1-2-1-0 on the road, 0-1 in overtime, 1-0 in shootouts) and tied for third place in the CENTRAL DIVISION...The ICE will play five of their next six games against the EASTERN CONFERENCE.

SUPER SEVEN FLEX PAKS: SUPER SEVEN FLEX PAKS are now available to purchase at the ICE Office…You get seven game certificates to use at your convenience – total flexibility...The first 100 FLEX PAKS purchased will include a golf voucher for WILDSTONE GOLF COURSE to be used during the 2014 golf season…SUPER SEVEN FLEX PAKS are available in Adult, Senior, Student and Youth packages...Adults are $133.00, Seniors $105.00, Students $91.00 and Youth $70.00.

FAN CLUB TAILGATE PARTY: The KOOTENAY ICE FAN CLUB is hosting a FAMILY TAILGATE PARTY on Saturday, October 26th from 5:00 - 6:30 pm in the parking lot of WESTERN FINANCIAL PLACE...There will be hamburgers, chips, coffee, pop and hot chocolate available prior to the game against the MOOSE JAW WARRIORS.

PEPSI KIDS CLUB: Registration for the PEPSI KIDS CLUB is underway…Kids from five to 12 can sign up to be part of the KIDS CLUB and receive a punch card to attend eight games for only $5.00…The events this year will include skating, tobogganing and a movie…Cost for each kid is $17.00 and forms are available at the Kootenay ICE Office…Registration deadline is Friday, November 15th.

DID YOU KNOW: The KOOTENAY ICE set a franchise record for the fewest penalty minutes by two teams on October 13th against PRINCE ALBERT with zero (previous record was two penalty minutes by both teams set January 18, 2013 in Regina)...SAM REINHART, who tied a franchise record for most consecutive games with an assist at eight from September 20th to October 9th (JOHN NEGRIN – November 18th to December 4th, 2007), is second in the WHL in points with 21 (7-14-21)...REINHART, who needs to record two more assists to reach 100 in his WHL career, is second in the League in assists with 14...JAEDON DESCHENEAU, who is tied for fifth in the WHL for goals scored with eight, is first in the League for scoring the first goal in a game with four...ZAK ZBOROSKY recorded his first WHL career goal against LETHBRIDGE on October 9th...TROY MURRAY recorded his first WHL career point with an assist on October 9th against the HURRICANES…JAGGER DIRK, who played in his 250 WHL career game on October 12th in MEDICINE HAT, needs to record two more points with reach 100 in his WHL career...MACKENZIE SKAPSKI recorded his first shutout of the season and eighth of his career October 13 against PRINCE ALBERT (30 saves).

INJURY: Defenseman TANNER FAITH will be out of the ICE line up indefinitely with an upper body injury.

ONE YEAR AGO: After ten games of the 2012-2013 season the ICE were 4-6-0-0, after 11 games were 4-7-0-0 and after 12 games were 4-8-0-0.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Monday, October 7, 2013

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE enter this week's action with a 3-3-1-0 record (3-2-0-0 at home, 0-1-1-0 on the road, 0-1 in overtime, 1-0 in shootouts) and in third place in the CENTRAL DIVISION...The ICE will play four of their next six games on the road and all against CENTRAL DIVISION opponents.

SINGLE GAME TICKETS: Single game tickets are now available for all home games…Tickets can be purchased at the Kootenay ICE Office or by calling 250-417-0322.

SUPER SEVEN FLEX PAKS: SUPER SEVEN FLEX PAKS are now available to purchase at the ICE Office…You get seven game certificates to use at your convenience – total flexibility...The first 100 FLEX PAKS purchased will include a golf voucher for WILDSTONE GOLF COURSE to be used during the 2014 golf season…SUPER SEVEN FLEX PAKS are available in Adult, Senior, Student and Youth packages...Adults are $133.00, Seniors $105.00, Students $91.00 and Youth $70.00.

PEPSI KIDS CLUB: Registration for the PEPSI KIDS CLUB is underway…Kids from five to 12 can sign up to be part of the KIDS CLUB and receive a punch card to attend eight games for only $5.00…The events this year will include skating, tobogganing and a movie…Cost for each kid is $17.00 and forms are available at the Kootenay ICE Office…Registration deadline is Friday, November 15.

ROSTER UPDATE: The ICE have 23 players on their roster, including two goalies, seven defensemen and 14 forwards…Of those players, there are two 1993 born players, five 1994 born players, nine 1995 born players, five 1996 born players and two 1997 born players...KOOTENAY has 16 returning players from last year and 18 players with WHL experience.

DID YOU KNOW: The ICE are 3-1-0-0 when outshooting their opponents and 0-2-1-0 when being outshot...JAGGER DIRK needs to play in two more games to reach 250 in his WHL career...SAM REINHART, who played in his 150th WHL career game on October 6 against SEATTLE, needs to record five more assists to reach 100 in his WHL career.

SCORING STREAKS: SAM REINHART (5-11-16) and JAEDON DESCHENEAU (7-7-14) have each recorded a point in all seven games this season...JAGGER DIRK (1-4-5) has recorded at least a point in his last three games.

INJURIES: Defenseman TANNER FAITH will be out of the ICE line up indefinitely with an upper body injury...Defenseman LANDON PEEL will be out of the KOOTENAY line up day to day with a lower body injury.

ONE YEAR AGO: After six games of the 2012-2013 season the ICE were 1-5-0-0, after seven games were 2-5-0-0 and after eight games 3-5-0-0.